By Dayo Johnson, Akure

The National Population Commission (NPC) has identified 13 local government areas in Ondo State for a targeted initiative aimed at addressing the causes of child and maternal deaths.

The announcement was made by NPC National Commissioner for Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodeji Ajayi, during a briefing in Akure on the Verbal and Social Autopsy (VASA) survey and the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistic System (ECRVS). The event was organized in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, with technical support from ICF and Johns Hopkins University.

Represented by the Ondo State NPC Director, Mrs. Olayinka Chijioke, Ajayi explained that the survey would provide critical insights into the biomedical and social causes of under-five and maternal mortality in communities.

The 13 local government areas chosen for the study include:

Akoko North-East

Akoko South-West

Owo

Akure South

Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo

Ondo West

Idanre

Odigbo

Ifedore

Êse-Odo

Okitipupa

Irele

Ilaje

Purpose and Timeline

Ajayi noted that the study builds on previous VASA surveys conducted in 2014 and 2019, which informed health policies to reduce preventable deaths. The 2024 VASA study will serve as a follow-up to the 2023-2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).

The fieldwork, set to run from November 4 to December 15, 2024, will involve revisiting NDHS households to collect data on the circumstances surrounding maternal and child deaths.

“Our trained data collectors will visit households to conduct interviews with family members, gathering information to better understand the social and health-related factors contributing to these tragic losses,” Ajayi stated.

Ajayi appealed for the cooperation of community members, including traditional rulers, to ensure the survey’s success. He urged community leaders to encourage participation, emphasizing the importance of the data in shaping policies to improve maternal and child health.

“We urge the public to cooperate with our interviewers, who will handle the process with respect and confidentiality,” Ajayi added.

Ajayi also highlighted the introduction of the E-CRVS platform, a digital system replacing paper-based methods for recording vital events like births and deaths.

“Through this initiative, NPC, in collaboration with UNICEF, aims to register 238,169 unregistered children under five in Ondo State. This transformative journey has already recorded significant successes,” he said.

To support this effort, 986 ad-hoc staff have been trained and deployed across the state, using advanced digital tools for efficient data collection and registration.

Ajayi expressed optimism that these initiatives would help reduce child and maternal deaths while ensuring a healthier future for families in Ondo State.